Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audience information data are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus monitor system factor(s) and select one or more sensors from a plurality of sensors positioned to gather audience measurement data based on the monitored factor(s). Thus, the disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to the conditions they face by selecting an amount and/or type of audience measurement data they gather.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent issues from a continuation application that claims priorityfrom International Patent Application Serial Number PCT/US03/04030,which was filed on Feb. 10, 2003.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to audience measurement, and, moreparticularly, to methods and apparatus to adaptively gather audienceinformation data.

BACKGROUND

Audience measurement of broadcasted television and/or radio programs hasbeen practiced for many years. Audience measurement devices typicallycollect two kinds of information from statistically selected homesspread across a geographic area of interest. Specifically, audiencemeasurement devices typically collect tuning information (e.g.,information indicating the content presented to the audience such aschannel information, time of consumption information, programinformation, etc.) and people information (e.g., information about thedemographics of the audience). These two types of information aregathered, recorded and combined to produce meaningful ratings data.

Typically, each monitored household is provided with a home unit such asthe example home unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. The home unit 10 includes aplurality of sensors to gather tuning information. The sensors may behardware or software based. Frequently, each sensor is designed togather a specific type of data that may be used to identify the programbeing consumed at a given time. For example, a home unit 10 may includean audio code sensor 12 that monitors the audio signal of a programbeing consumed to detect in-band audio codes which identify the date andtime of broadcast, and the channel carrying or station broadcasting theprogram with which the codes are associated. These codes are typicallywatermarks hidden in the signal by a Psycho-Acoustic Masking algorithm.Although imperceptible to the human ear, these watermarks can be pickedup by an audio sensor.

The home unit 10 may also or alternatively include a video code sensor14 to detect video codes broadcast, for example, in a vertical blankinginterval of the video component of a program being consumed. Like audiocodes, video codes can be any type of signal (digital, analog), orabsence of a signal that may be used to identify a program beingconsumed, a tuned channel, and/or a broadcasting station. For example, agiven television station may always place a flash of light in the upperright corner of the screen during the vertical blanking intervals ofevery program it broadcasts. If this code is unique to that station(e.g., ABC) in the relevant geographic market, when the video codesensor 14 detects a flash in the upper right hand corner of a frame, thehome unit 10 or central office knows that the program being viewed hasbeen broadcast by that station (e.g., ABC). With this information, thetime of the broadcast, and a program guide, the identity of the programbeing viewed can be precisely obtained. Of course, other codes mayalternatively be used such as markers, alphanumeric codes, tone codes,positional codes, intensity codes, data inserted into a compresseddigital bitstream, data inserted into the audio, video, or ancillarydata fields, the act of turning the luminance level of a pixel brighteror darker, etc.

By way of another example, the video code sensor 14 may be an AutomaticMeasurement Of Line-up (AMOL) decoder. An AMOL decoder reads codesembedded in a broadcast video signal outside the active video area(i.e., outside the portion of the signal that is displayed on atelevision receiving the signal). As is well known, the active videoarea starts in the 22^(nd) line of a broadcast frame. AMOL codes areplaced in the signal in lines before the active video area (e.g., inlines 19, 20 and 21). The AMOL codes identify the channel broadcastingthe program containing the codes. Because the codes are embedded outsideof the active video area that appears on the television, they are notvisible to viewers. However, the AMOL decoder can be used to extract thecodes from the received signal to identify the program being viewed.

In still another example, the video code sensor 14 may be implemented bya video watermarking sensor. Video watermarking is like audiowatermarking in that a watermark is encoded into the active video areaof a broadcasted signal in such a way that it can be perceived by thevideo watermarking sensor, but cannot be perceived by the viewers of theprogram.

In yet another example, the video code sensor 14 may be implemented byan on-screen display sensor. An on-screen display sensor is structuredto monitor for channel numbers displayed on the television or otherviewing screen. The on-screen display sensor detects such numbers,digitizes them and uses the digitized image to identify the channelnumber of the channel currently being viewed.

Alternatively or additionally, the home unit 10 may also be providedwith an audio signature sensor 16 and/or a video signature sensor 18. Anaudio signature sensor 16 records one or more segments of an audiosignal output in the home for comparison against a library of audiosegments to determine the identity of the associated program. Similarly,a video signature sensor 18 records one or more video frames or segmentsof the program being viewed for comparison (either locally or remotely)against a library of video signals. A match between the recordedsignature and a signature in a library gives a high degree of confidencethat the program has been correctly identified. When this identity iscombined with a time of broadcast and a geographical location, thestation broadcasting the program can be identified.

Alternatively or additionally, the home unit 10 may be provided with asoftware meter 20. A software meter 20 may monitor signals decoded by aset top box, a Digital Video Recorder, an in-home Media Server, and/orother computing device as a vehicle for identifying the programs beingviewed and the stations that broadcasted the same. Typically, thesoftware meter 20 accesses an interactive program guide or other matrixidentifying program carried by the datastream processed by the set topbox to identify the tuned program/broadcasting station. For example, thesoftware meter may be implemented by a digital bitstream decoder whichextracts embedded codes from a digital bitstream. For example, thedigital bitstream decoder may extract codes from a signal output by aset top box (STB) (e.g., it may extract codes from an audio signal sentfrom the STB to an AC-3 decoder).

Software meters 20 may also be used to monitor Internet traffic. Forexample, a software meter 20 may track and record the universal resourcelocators (URLs) input to a browser running on a computer or Internetappliance in order to develop ratings information concerning Internetwebsite visitations.

A home unit 10 typically includes five or more of the above or othertypes of sensors 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. These sensors 12, 14, 16, 18, 20are sometimes referred to as “data collection engines.” Like airplaneengines, multiple data collection engines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 areavailable so that, if one or more of these engines should fail, theremaining engines 12, 14, 16, 18, and/or 20 are still available tocollect useful data.

The data gathered by the data collection engines 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 isinput to a switch 22, which may be implemented by a programmedprocessor. The switch 22 determines which sensors or collection engines12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are providing valid data. Because resources arelimited, the switch 22 is programmed to use the data from some of thesensors 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and ignore the data from the remainingsensors 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. In particular, the switch 22 is providedwith a static set of rules which dictates the priorities to be assignedto the sensors 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. For example, the switch 22 istypically structured to prefer audio codes to audio signatures, audiosignatures to video codes, video codes to video signatures, etc. Thus,if, for example, audio codes are available and the audio code sensor 12is working, the switch 22 may process the audio codes and ignore theoutputs of the other sensors 14, 16, 18, 20. If audio codes are notavailable and/or the audio code sensor 12 is not functioning, the switch22 may process the audio signatures collected by the audio signaturesensor 16 while discarding the outputs of the sensors 12, 14, 18 and 20.Alternatively or additionally, when faced with limited bandwidth in thecommunication channel 26 between the switch 22 and central office 24,the switch 22 may store some of the collected data and output it in atime division multiplexing scheme (e.g., transmit code data, thentransmit signature data, then transmit code data, etc.).

The switch 22 of the home unit 10 is typically connected to a centraloffice 24 by a communication link 26 (e.g., the Internet, the plain oldtelephone system, a wireless connection, etc). The central office 24receives the data gathered by home units 10 which are scattered across ageographical area of interest and develops meaningful ratingsinformation from the collected data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art apparatus to gatheraudience measurement data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example apparatus to adaptivelygather audience measurement data.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic illustration of the exampleapparatus of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate example rules which assign a priority ranking tothe sensors of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A-5D are a flowchart illustrating an example program forimplementing the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example routine for assigning apriority ranking to the sensors based on one or more fixed systemfactors.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an example valid sensor list as it might bemodified by the program of FIGS. 5A-5D in response to variable systemconditions.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example DROP SENSOR routine which may be called bythe program of FIGS. 5A-5D.

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of time periods in an example storeand forward paradigm for implementing the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10A-10C are a flowchart illustrating another example program forimplementing the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of time periods in an examplestore and forward paradigm for implementing the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 12A-12C are a flowchart illustrating another example program forimplementing the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an example computer which canexecute the program of FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 to implement the apparatus ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example apparatus 50 which maybe employed to adaptively gather audience measurement data such as, forexample, tuning information. Like the prior art apparatus 10 of FIG. 1,the example apparatus 50 of FIG. 2 includes a plurality of sensors. Theplurality of sensors may include an audio code sensor 12, a video codesensor 14 (e.g., an on-screen display sensor, a video watermarkingsensor, an AMOL code sensor, etc.), an audio signature sensor 16 (e.g.,an audio watermarking sensor), a video signature sensor 18, a softwaremeter sensor 20 (e.g., a digital bitstream sensor), and/or other sensorsto gather tuning and/or audience composition data. As explained indetail below, the illustrated apparatus 50 may process the output(s) ofone or more of the sensors 12-20 and/or ignore the output(s) of one ormore of the sensor(s) 12-20 based on one or more variable systemfactors. The identities of the sensor(s) 12-20 being utilized and/or thesensor(s) 12-20 being ignored may vary over time as a function ofchanges in the monitored system variables as discussed further below.

Like the prior art apparatus 10, the example apparatus 50 of FIG. 2includes a switch 22. As explained above, the switch 22 selectivelycouples one or more of the sensors 12-20 to an output such as thecommunication channel 26. For example, the switch 22 has a plurality ofstates in which different combinations of the sensors 12-20 are coupledto the output. For instance, in one state, the switch 22 may couple noneof the sensors 12-20 to the output 26. In another state, the switch 22may couple all of the sensors 12-20 to the output 26. In still otherstates, the switch may couple less than all of the sensors to the output26, in any combination.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that theswitch 22 may be implemented in many different ways. For example, theswitch 22 may be implemented by a matrix of controlled switches such astransistors, and/or the switch may be implemented by a programmedprocessor. As a result, persons of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that, as used herein “connected” and “coupled” are notlimited to direct physical connections, but instead encompass directphysical connections, indirect physical connections, and non-physicalconnections wherein data is simply transferred from one device to theother via some intermediary. Thus, the switch 22 may couple a sensor tothe output by processing the data output by the switch 22 and deliveringthe processed data to the output 26. The data output by a sensor 12-20that is not “coupled” to the output 26 (e.g., an “ignored,” “isolated,”or “dropped” sensor) may simply be ignored by the switch 22 such thatthe ignored data is not delivered to the output 26 and, thus, istypically not processed, or, alternatively, the switch 22 may break acircuit path (by, for example, changing the state of a controlled switchsuch as a transistor) between the ignored sensor and the output 26.

As in the apparatus 10, the switch 22 of the example apparatus 50 iscoupled to a central office 24 via a communication link 26 and/or anintermediate in home collection unit 10. The communication link 26 canbe implemented by any known wired or wireless communications technology.For example, the communication link 26 may comprise a point to pointsatellite system, the Internet, the plain old telephone system, and/or adedicated network link. In other words, the bandwidth may be limitedand/or variable.

To address this bandwidth variability and other variable system factors,the example apparatus 50 is provided with a sensor selector 52. Thesensor selector 52 monitors at least one variable system factor andselects which set of the sensors 12-20 (e.g., all of the sensors, anycombination of the sensors or none of the sensors) are to be used tocollect data based on those factor(s). The sensor selector 52 may alsoselect which set of the sensors 12-20 are used to collect data based onone or more fixed system factors as explained in detail below. Indeed,in the illustrated example, the sensors 12-20 are first ranked in orderof preference based, at least in part, on one or more fixed systemfactors, and then the sensors 12-20 (which may include all or less thanall of the sensors 12-20) from which to collect audience measurementdata are selected based on one or more variable system factors. If lessthan all of the sensors 12-20 are selected for data gathering, to theextent possible the sensor(s) 12-20 are used and/or ignored inaccordance with the preference ranking indicated by the fixed systemfactors.

Although illustrated in FIG. 2 as being located at the home site,persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that thesensor selector 52 may be located in whole or in part at the home siteand/or the central office 24.

A more detailed view of the example apparatus 50 is shown in FIG. 3. Forthe purpose of adjusting the operation of the apparatus 50 toaccommodate the fixed system factors, the sensor selector 52 is providedwith a weighting selector 54. The weighting selector 54 determines aranking, priority, or preference order of the sensors 12-20 based on oneor more fixed system factors. Fixed system factors are system factorsthat are not typically subject to short term variation. Fixed systemfactors include such things as, for example: (a) a number of affiliatesof a particular broadcasting company in a particular market, (b) a localpreference for a particular sensor type, (c) a presence of a set top boxhaving an interactive program guide, (d) the type of communication linkbetween the home and the Central Office (e.g, fixed bandwidth linkversus Internet), (e) the basic cost and complexity associated withusing each sensor (e.g., more expensive and/or difficult to use sensorsare less desirable then less expensive and/or easy to use sensors), and(f) presence of viewing time and/or viewing place shifting devices at ahome such as personal video recorders (PVRs), a Media Center PC, etc.

For instance, in a large market having two affiliates of the AmericanBroadcasting Company (ABC), signatures may not be as effective as codesin identifying the tuned station because of the potential forprogramming overlap. Accordingly, in such circumstances, the weightingselector 54 may select a preference ranking such as that shown in FIG.4A wherein the audio code sensor 12 is preferred to the video codesensor 14, the video code sensor 14 is preferred to the audio signaturesensor 16, the audio signature sensor 16 is preferred to the videosignature sensor 18, and the video signature sensor 18 is preferred tothe software meter sensor 20.

In another example, a particular market may be better served bysignatures than codes because, for example, two or more broadcastingstations in the market refuse to insert codes in their broadcast(s) orhave a poor history of following through with such code insertion. Insuch a circumstance, the weighting selector 54 may select a preferenceranking such as that shown in FIG. 4B wherein the audio signature sensor16 is preferred to the video signature sensor 18, the video signaturesensor 18 is preferred to the audio code sensor 12, and the audio codesensor 12 is preferred to the video code sensor 14.

Households may also have certain fixed characteristics that dictate apreference order for the sensors 12-20. For example, a household with aset top box having an interactive program guide may be better monitoredby the data from the software meter than any of the other datacollecting engines. In such a circumstance, the weighting selector 54may select a preference ranking such as that shown in FIG. 4C whereinthe software meter sensor 20 is preferred to the audio code sensor 12,the audio code sensor 12 is preferred to the audio signature sensor 16,the audio signature sensor 16 is preferred to the video code sensor 14,and the video code sensor 14 is preferred to the video signature sensor18. As an example, a household with a PVRs may be more easily measuredby using audio codes than by using signatures.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that theweighting selector 54 may be automated to automatically select the orderpreference for the sensors 12-20 in response to receipt of input dataindicating the fixed system variables for the household of interest.Alternatively, the weighting selector 54 may be implemented by a matrixof rules such as those shown in FIGS. 4A-4C wherein an installer of theapparatus 50 may select a rule from the matrix with little or noautomated assistance. Alternately, the sensor selector 52 may beprovided with a predetermined order preference and/or fixed systemfactors may be ignored altogether at the time of installation and/or atthe time of manufacture of the apparatus 50.

Once a preference order of the sensors 12-20 is determined, the sensorselector 52 identifies which of the sensor(s) 12-20 should be employedto collect data. In particular, the example sensor selector 52determines which of the sensor(s) 12-20 to ignore and/or which of thesensor(s) 12-20 to utilize to gather data by measuring one or morevariable system factors and comparing certain characteristics of theavailable sensor(s) to the variable factor(s) currently present in thesystem. Variable system factors may include, for example: (a) a presenceof an audio code, (b) a presence of a video code, (c) availablebandwidth of a communication link between the apparatus 50 located at ahome site and a remote site such as the central office 24, (d) availablestorage capacity at the local site (e.g., storage available on the homeside of the communication channel 26), (e) available storage capacity atthe remote site (e.g., storage available on the central office side ofthe communication channel 26), (f) processing speed associated with aprocessor at the local site (e.g., the statistically sampled homemonitored by the apparatus 50), (g) processing speed associated with aprocessor at the remote site (e.g., the central office 24), (h) audiblenoise at the local site, and (i) a condition of a set top box (e.g.,powered on).

For the purpose of identifying sensor(s) 12-20 which are presentlycapable of gathering audience measurement data, the sensor selector 52is further provided with a sensor tester 56. The sensor tester 56determines which of the sensors 12-20 are presently outputting validdata by, for example, comparing the output of the sensors 12-20 againstan expected output. For instance, if the audio sensor 12 does not outputan audio code within a predetermined time (e.g., because the programbeing viewed does not have audio codes or the audio code sensor 12 isdefective), the audio code sensor 12 is identified as invalid by thesensor tester 56, although this invalid state may not be permanent asexplained below.

The sensor tester 56 performs similar examinations of the outputs of theother available sensors 14-20. Any sensor 12-20 that is producing anexpected output is identified as a valid sensor, whereas any sensor12-20 that does not produce an expected output within a predeterminedtime period is assumed defective (although this assumption may beperiodically tested as discussed below).

Once the sensor tester 56 has established the subset of the sensor(s)12-20 which are currently producing valid data (which may be all or lessthan all of the sensors 12-20), an output measuring unit 58 develops ameasure of the amount of data that may currently be gathered by thevalid sensor(s) 12-20 per unit of time. In particular, the outputmeasuring unit 58 sums the amount of data per unit of time that thevalid sensor(s) 12-20 are producing. For example, if three of thesensor(s) 12-20 are currently valid, one of the valid sensors isproducing 20 kilobytes (KB) of data per second, a second one of thevalid sensors is producing 12 KB of data per second and the last validsensor is outputting 24 KB of data per second, the output measuring unit58 determines that the valid sensors are currently outputting 56 KB/secof data (i.e., 20 KB/sec+12 KB/sec+24 KB/sec). The result calculated bythe output measuring unit 58 is used to determine whether the apparatus50 can process all of the data available from the currently validsensor(s) given current system conditions, or if the output of one ormore of the valid sensor(s) should be ignored.

For the purpose of determining if the apparatus 50 and/or the centraloffice 24 is capable of processing the volume of data available from thevalid sensor(s), the sensor selector 52 is further provided with aprocessing speed tester 60. As will be appreciated by persons ofordinary skill in the art, both the processor at the home site and theprocessor at the central office 24 is characterized by a processingspeed. The processing speed as used herein is a rate at which aprocessor may process the data currently being gathered by the validsensor(s) 12-20. The processing speed is dependent upon several factorsincluding, for example, the physical structure and capabilities of theprocessor in question (e.g., a 1.7 GigaHertz processor), the softwarebeing executed by the processor in question, the amount of tasks beingconcurrently performed by the processor (e.g., whether multitasking issupported and/or occurring), and the type of data processing theprocessor is asked to perform (e.g., parallel processing, serialprocessing, signature matching, code identification, packetizing datafor transmission, encrypting, decrypting, etc.). Thus, the processingspeed of a given processor varies over time as a function of the typeand quantity of tasks facing that processor. The type and quantity oftasks facing the processor in question are, in turn, a function of thetypes and quantities of the sensor(s) 12-20 utilized to collect data.

In the illustrated example, the processing speed tester 60 determines ifa local processor (e.g., a processor at the home site) is currentlycapable of operating at sufficient speed to process the data output bythe valid sensor(s) 12-20. It may also determine if a remote processor(e.g., a processor at the central office 24) is currently capable ofoperating at sufficient speed to process the data output by the validsensor(s) 12-20. The switch 22 is responsive to the processing speedtester 60 to drop, isolate, or otherwise ignore the output of at leastone of the valid sensor(s) 12-20 if either the local processor or theremote processor is presently incapable of operating at sufficient speedto process the data from all of the valid sensor(s) (i.e., including thedropped sensor(s)).

In order to determine the amount of data that can currently betransmitted over the communication channel 26, the sensor selector 52 isfurther provided with a bandwidth sensor 62. The bandwidth sensor 62develops an estimate of the current bandwidth available on thecommunications link 26. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate that a bandwidth estimation can be made in any of anumber of ways. For example, the bandwidth sensor 62 may make anestimation of the currently available bandwidth by using the currenttime of day to access a look-up table storing historical statisticaldata identifying the historically expected bandwidth of thecommunication channel as a function of time of day. Alternatively, thebandwidth sensor 62 may gather real time data by monitoring the rate atwhich data is currently being transferred between the home site and thecentral office 24.

Irrespective of the manner in which the bandwidth sensor 62 estimatesthe currently available bandwidth, a storage monitor 64 of the sensorselector 52 utilizes the estimated bandwidth to determine if one or morestorage devices have sufficient capacity to store at least a subset ofthe data output by the valid sensor(s) 12-20. In particular, if theestimated bandwidth of the communication channel is smaller than thedata output by the valid sensor(s) under consideration, the storagemonitor 64 determines if a local storage device associated with the homesite has sufficient capacity to buffer the data output by the validsensor(s) 12-20 under consideration for a length of time sufficient fora store and forward model to function properly. For instance, thestorage monitor 64 may use the estimated bandwidth determined by thebandwidth sensor 62 to calculate an expected rate of growth of dataadded to the buffer because it cannot be transmitted under the currentconditions. If the determined rate of growth indicates that the localstorage device will be out of storage space in less than a predeterminedlength of time (e.g., one half hour), the storage monitor 64 maydetermine that the local storage device does not have sufficient storagecapacity under current conditions to store all the data requiringstorage if all of the valid sensor(s) 12-20 under consideration areemployed. Accordingly, the switch 22 responds to this determination byisolating at least one of the valid sensor(s) 12-20. Again, this stateof isolation may not be permanent. Rather, the apparatus 10 will adaptto conditions such that, if appropriate, the isolated sensor will bebrought back out of isolation.

The central office 24 includes one or more processors which receive andprocess data from a multiple number of home sites/apparatus 50. Thecentral office 24 stores the data it processes in one or more storagedevices. Because the central office 24 receives data from a number ofhome sites, the illustrated sensor selector 52 is structured todetermine whether the storage capacity of the central office 24allocated to the home site monitored by the apparatus 50 in question issufficient to store the data being collected by the valid sensor(s)12-20. To this end, the sensor selector 52 communicates with the centraloffice 24 to determine the amount of available storage capacityallocated to the home unit in question. For example, the amount ofavailable storage capacity allocated to the subject home unit may beequal to the total storage capacity available at the central office 24divided by the number of home units being monitored.

Once the sensor selector 52 is provided with an indication of the amountof available storage capacity allocated to the subject home unit, thestorage monitor 64 uses the expected rate of data collection associatedwith the valid sensor(s) 12-20 to determine if the allocated storagecapacity will be depleted too quickly if the valid sensor(s) underconsideration are employed. For example, if the rate of data collectionindicates that the remote storage capacity allocated to the subject homeunit will be exhausted in less than a predetermined length of time(e.g., one half hour), the storage monitor 64 may determine that thecentral office's storage device does not have sufficient storagecapacity under current conditions to store all the data requiringstorage if all of the valid sensor(s) 12-20 under consideration areemployed. The switch 22 responds to this determination by isolating atleast one of the valid sensor(s) 12-20.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions forimplementing the sensor selector 52 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and8. In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise a programfor execution by a processor such as the processor 1012 shown in theexample computer 1000 discussed below in connection with FIG. 9. Theprogram may be embodied in software stored on a tangible medium such asa CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD),or a memory associated with the processor 1012, but persons of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate that the entire program and/orparts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than theprocessor 1012 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware in awell known manner. For example, any or all of the weighting selector 54,the sensor tester 56, the output measuring unit 58, the processing speedtester 60, the bandwidth sensor 62 and/or the storage monitor 64 couldbe implemented by software, hardware, and/or firmware. Further, althoughthe example program is described with reference to the flowchartsillustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, persons of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing theexample sensor selector 52 may alternatively be used. For example, theorder of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of theblocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

The program of FIG. 5 begins at block 100 where a priority or preferenceranking of the sensor(s) 12-20 is selected based on the fixed systemfactors. As stated above, the selection of the priority ranking may beperformed manually (e.g., by selecting a rule from a set of rules suchas rule 1, 2 or 3 of FIGS. 4A-4C from a menu) or automatically. In theillustrated sensor selector 52, the priority ranking is automaticallydetermined by the weighting selector 54. Thus, at block 100, the SELECTPRIORITY RANKING routine is called.

As shown in FIG. 6, the SELECT PRIORITY RANKING routine begins at block102 where the weighting selector 54 sets preference values associatedwith the sensors 12-20 equal to zero. The weighting selector 54 thendetermines whether the market in which the home site monitored by theapparatus 50 is located is a two affiliate market (e.g., if twoaffiliates of a broadcasting company are broadcasting in the subjectmarket) (block 104). This determination may be made automatically byemploying one or more of the sensors 12-20 and the tuner of theinformation presenting device (e.g., a television or radio) to identifythe stations broadcasting in the relevant market. Alternatively, thedetermination of whether two affiliates of the same broadcasting companyare servicing the relevant market may be made by requesting theinstaller to input data indicative of the same. If the weightingselector 54 determines that the relevant market is a two affiliatemarket (block 104), control advances to block 106. Otherwise, controladvances to block 108.

Assuming for purposes of discussion that two affiliates are servicingthe relevant market (block 104), the weighting selector 54 incrementsthe audio code preference value by two and the video code preferencevalue by one because codes are preferred to signatures in the twoaffiliates in one market context and because audio codes are preferredto video codes (block 106). Control then proceeds to block 108.

At block 108, the weighting selector 54 determines if the market inquestion is a signature preferred market, for example, because codes arenot being used by some broadcasting stations servicing the market. Thisdetermination can be made automatically by employing one or more of thesensors 12-20 and the tuner of the information presenting device (e.g.,a television or radio) to determine if any of the stations broadcastingin the relevant market are refusing to use codes. Alternatively, thedetermination of whether any broadcasting companies servicing therelevant market are refusing to use codes may be made by requesting theinstaller to input data indicative of the same. If the weightingselector 54 determines that the relevant market is a signature preferredmarket (block 108), control advances to block 110. Otherwise, controladvances to block 112.

Assuming for purposes of discussion that the relevant market is asignature preferred market (block 108), the weighting selector 54increments the audio signature preference value by two and the videosignature preference value by one because signatures are preferred tocodes in this context and because audio signatures are preferred tovideo signatures (block 110). Control then proceeds to block 112.

At block 112, the weighting selector 54 determines if the informationpresenting device being monitored includes a set top box with aninteractive program guide. If so, control advances to block 114.Otherwise, control advances to block 116.

Assuming for purposes of discussion that a set top box with aninteractive program guide is present (block 112), the weighting selector54 increments the software meter preference value by five because thesoftware meter sensor 20 is preferred in this context (block 114).Control then advances to block 116.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the weightingselector 54 may consider fixed system factors other than, or in additionto, those described above in connection with blocks 104-114 to developthe preference rankings for the sensors 12-20. Thus, additional blocksmay be inserted between block 112 and block 116 in FIG. 6 and/or some orall of blocks 104-114 may be replaced with blocks directed to otherfixed factors.

After the weighting detector 54 has completed the fixed system factoranalysis (block 112 or block 114), the weighting selector 54 determinesif any of the preference values are equal (block 1116). If any of thepreference values are equal (block 116), the weighting selector 54adjusts the values to remove the equality in accordance with apredetermined preference order (block 118). For example, audio sensorsmay be preferred to video sensors, codes may be preferred to signatures,and software metering may be preferred to codes. Using this or anotherrule of thumb, the weighting selector 54 adjusts the tied preferencevalues to ensure that no ties exist. In so doing, the weighting selector54 ensures that no tied preference value is advanced above a non-tiedpreference value to preserve the preference ranking(s) dictated by thefixed factors.

After any ties are resolved (blocks 116 and 118), control advances toblock 120. At block 120, the weighting selector 54 sorts the preferencevalues to arrive at a preference ranking rule. The preference rankingrule is used in selecting which sensors 12-20 to isolate, should thevariable system factors indicate that isolation is required. Inparticular, when it is necessary to isolate a valid sensor, the validsensor with the lowest preference rating is isolated. If another validsensor must be isolated, the valid sensor with the next lowestpreference rating is isolated and so on. Persons of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that any known sorting algorithm such as, forexample, a bubble sort algorithm may be employed to sort the preferencevalues.

After the preference ranking of the sensors 12-20 is selected (block100, FIG. 5A), the sensor tester 56 sets a sensor counter S to zero anda valid sensor counter V to zero (block 130). The sensor tester 56 alsocreates a valid sensor list such as the list shown in FIG. 7A (block130). The valid sensor list is a list of all sensors 12-20 connected tothe switch 22. The sensors 12-20 are listed in the valid sensor list inaccordance with the preference ranking set by the weighting selector 54.For example, the sensor with the highest preference value may appear asthe first sensor in the valid sensor list and the sensor with the lowestsensor value may appear as the last sensor in the valid sensor list.

After the valid sensor list is created, the sensor tester 56 enters aloop wherein it determines which of the sensors 12-20 are outputtingvalid data. In particular, the sensor tester 56 increments the sensorcounter S by one (block 132) and then determines if the sensor pointedto by the sensor counter S is outputting good data (block 134). Asdiscussed above, the sensor tester 56 may determine whether a sensor12-20 is outputting valid data by comparing the output of the sensor toan expected output stored in memory.

If the sensor pointed to by the sensor counter S is outputting validdata (block 134), control advances to block 140 without adjusting thedata in the valid sensor list. If, on the other hand, the sensor S isnot outputting valid data (block 134), the sensor tester 56 removes thatsensor from the valid sensor list (block 136). For example, if thesensor pointed to by the counter S is the video signature sensor 18, andthe video signature sensor 18 is not outputting valid data, the videosignature sensor 18 is removed from the valid sensor list as shown inFIG. 7B. The valid sensor counter V is then decremented by one (block138) and control advances to block 140.

At block 140, the sensor tester 56 determines if the counter S hasreached a value equal to the number of sensors 12-20 connected to theswitch 22. If the counter S is less than the number of sensors 12-20,all of the sensors 12-20 have not yet been tested by the sensor tester56. Accordingly, control returns to block 132 where the sensor counter Sis incremented to point to the next sensor. Control continues to loopthrough blocks 132-140 until every sensor 12-20 has been tested by thesensor tester 56 and classified as a valid or invalid sensor. Controlthen advances to block 142.

At block 142, the output measuring unit 58 resets the sensor counter Sto zero and sets an output measurement variable A to zero. The outputmeasuring unit 58 then enters a loop whereby it determines the amount ofdata per unit of time output by the sensor(s) appearing in the validsensor list. In particular, the output measuring unit 58 increments thesensor counter S by one (block 144) and then adds the number of bytesper second output by the first sensor on the valid sensor list to theoutput measurement variable A (block 146). For example, assuming thevalid sensor list is the list appearing in FIG. 7B and the sensorcounter S equals one, the output measurement unit 58 adds the number ofbytes per second D_(S) that the audio code sensor 12 is outputting tothe output measurement variable A (block 146). Control then advances toblock 148.

At block 148, the output measurement unit 58 determines if the sensorcounter S has exceeded the number of valid sensor(s) appearing on thevalid sensor list. If not, then the output measurement unit 58 has notsummed the outputs of all of the sensor(s) on the valid sensor list andcontrol, thus, returns to block 144. Control continues to loop throughblocks 144-148 until the outputs of all of the sensor(s) appearing onthe valid sensor list have been summed. Control then advances to block150.

At block 150, the processing speed tester 60 determines if the localprocessor associated with the home site is capable of processing theaggregate output A of the sensor(s) appearing on the valid sensor list.In particular, the processing speed tester 60 compares the value in theoutput measurement variable A to the currently available processingspeed P_(L) of the local processor (block 150). If the sensors on thevalid sensor list are outputting more data than the local processor iscurrently capable of processing (block 150), the processing speed tester60 calls the DROP SENSOR routine (block 151). As shown in FIG. 8, theDROP SENSOR routine begins when the processing speed tester 60 removesthe sensor having the lowest preference value from the valid sensor list(block 152). For example, if the current valid sensor list is the listappearing in FIG. 7B, the processing speed sensor 60 deletes thesoftware meter sensor 20 from the valid sensor list such that the validsensor list now includes only three sensors as shown in FIG. 7C. Theprocessing speed tester 60 then decrements the valid sensor counter byone (block 154).

If the valid sensor counter has fallen to zero (block 156), then thereare no valid sensors appearing on the valid sensor list and controladvances to block 158. At block 158 an error message is issued and theprocess terminates since the apparatus 50 is currently unable to collectand/or process any data.

If the valid sensor counter has not fallen to zero (block156), controlreturns to block 142 (FIG. 5A). At block 142, the sensor counter S andthe output measurement variable A are reset to zero, and the outputmeasuring unit 58 again sums the outputs of the sensors appearing on thevalid sensor list. Because there is one fewer sensor on the valid sensorlist this time, the output measurement variable A will have a lowervalue (i.e., fewer sensor outputs are being considered and, thus, thecombined output of those sensors is typically smaller). As a result, thelocal processor is more likely to be capable of processing the aggregateoutput of the sensors on the valid sensor list.

Control continues to loop through blocks 142-156 until the number ofsensors appearing on the valid sensor list is reduced to a level thatthe local processor can handle, and/or until no sensors are listed inthe valid sensor list.

Assuming that the local processor is capable of handling the output ofthe sensors currently appearing in the valid sensor list (e.g., the listappearing in FIG. 7C) (block 150), control advances to block 160 (FIG.5B). At block 160, the bandwidth sensor 62 measures the currentbandwidth B_(current) of the communication link 26. If the currentbandwidth B_(current) of the communication link 26 is larger than theoutput A of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list (block 162),then the communication link 26 is currently capable of forwarding all ofthe data output by the sensors without delay. Accordingly, there is onlya negligible need for local storage, and control advances to block 174.

If, however, the currently available bandwidth B_(current) of thecommunication link 26 is smaller than the aggregate output A of thesensors appearing on the valid sensor list (block 162), then the storagemonitor 64 determines if there is sufficient local storage capacity tohandle the output of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor listgiven the current condition of the communication link 26. In particular,at block 164 the storage monitor 64 divides the local storage capacityby the rate at which data output by the sensors must be stored in thelocal storage device. If the computed ratio of storage capacity tostorage usage rate exceeds a predetermined threshold T₁ (block 164),then there is insufficient local storage to process all of the dataoutput by the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list. Accordingly,the storage monitor 64 calls the DROP SENSOR routine (block151) which,as explained above, removes the sensor having the lowest preferencevalue from the valid sensor list (block 152, FIG. 8). For example, ifthe current valid sensor list is the list appearing in FIG. 7C, thestorage monitor 64 deletes the audio signature sensor 16 from the validsensor list such that the valid sensor list now includes only twosensors as shown in FIG. 7D. The storage monitor 64 then decrements thevalid sensor counter V by one (block 154). If the valid sensor counter Vhas fallen to zero (block 156), then there are no valid sensorsappearing on the valid sensor list and control advances to block 158where an error message is issued and the process terminates. If thevalid sensor counter V has not fallen to zero (block 156), controlreturns to block 142 where the output measuring unit 58 re-computes theoutput measurement value A based on the reduced valid sensor list.Control continues to loop through blocks 142-164 until the number ofsensors appearing on the valid sensor list is reduced to a level thatthe local processor and the local storage unit can handle, and/or untilno sensors are listed in the valid sensor list

Assuming the local storage unit has sufficient capacity to handle thelocal storage requirements of the sensors appearing on the valid sensorlist given the fixed and current variable system factors (block 164),control advances to block 174. At block 174, the processing speed tester60 determines if the remote processor has sufficient availableprocessing speed to process the data the apparatus 50 currently expectsto forward to the central office 24 via the communications link 26. Inparticular, the processing speed tester 60 determines if the processorat the central office 24 is capable of processing data delivered at thegreater of the current measured bandwidth B_(current) and the totaloutput A of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list (block 174).This determination may be made with status data transmitted from thecentral office 24 in response to a query from the apparatus 50. Forexample, the apparatus 50 may request the central office 24 to identifyits current processing speed availability (e.g., how much data per unitof time the remote processor may currently accept given the currentdemands on the remote processor's data handling capabilities).

Assuming for purposes of discussion that the remote processing speed isinsufficient to handle the amount of data being delivered via thecommunication link 26 (block 174), the processing speed tester 60determines if the current combined output A of the sensors appearing onthe valid sensor list is greater than the bandwidth B_(current)currently available on the communication channel 26 (block 176). If thebandwidth B_(current) of the communications channel 26 is greater thanthe combined output A of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list(block 176), the speed processing tester 60 reduces the value of thecurrent bandwidth variable B_(current) to equal the current processingspeed of the remote processor (block 178). The switch 22 is alsonotified that it should not transmit data at a rate faster than thereduced bandwidth value B_(current) to ensure that the processor at theremote central office 24 is not overwhelmed with too much data. Controlthen returns to block 162 so the processing speed tester 60 is providedwith the opportunity to ensure that the local storage device hassufficient capacity to handle the output A of the sensors appearing onthe valid sensor list at the reduced level of data transmission dictatedby the reduced bandwidth value B_(current) (block 164). If the localstorage capacity is insufficient to handle the increased buffering rateassociated with decreasing the rate of transmission between the homesite and the central office 24, the DROP SENSOR routine is called (block177) and another sensor 12-20 is removed from the valid sensor list asexplained above. Of course, if another sensor is dropped from the validsensor list (FIG. 8, blocks 152-154), control returns to block 142 toreevaluate the variable system factors against the new expected output Aof the sensors appearing on the revised valid sensor list as explainedabove, unless no sensors are identified in that list (FIG. 8, block156).

If, on the other hand, it is determined at block 176 (FIG. 5C) that thecombined output A of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor listalready exceeds the current bandwidth B_(current) of the communicationlink 26 (block 176), then, instead of applying more pressure to thelocal buffer by reducing the rate of transmission from the home site tothe central office 24, the processing speed tester 60 calls the DROPSENSOR routine (block 177) to remove the least preferred sensor from thevalid sensor list (FIG. 8, block 152). The valid sensor counter is thendecremented (FIG. 8, block 154) and, if there are still sensorsappearing on the valid sensor list (block 156), control returns to block142 (FIG. 5A) to reevaluate the variable system factors against the newexpected output A of the sensors appearing on the revised valid sensorlist as explained above. As noted above, if there are no sensors listedin the valid sensor list (FIG. 8, block 156), an error message is issued(block 158) and the process terminates.

If the remote processor is capable of handling the data transmitted bythe home site over the communication channel 26 (FIG. 5C, block 174),control advances to block 180. At block 180, the storage monitor 64determines if the current bandwidth value is zero thereby indicatingthat no data is to be transmitted to the host site until a later time.If so, control advances to block 184. Otherwise, control advances toblock 182.

At block 182, the storage monitor 64 determines if the central office 24has sufficient storage capacity allocated to the subject home unit toreceive the data gathered by the sensors listed on the valid sensor listgiven the expected transmission rate. In particular, at block 182 thestorage monitor 64 divides the remote storage capacity the centraloffice 24 has allocated to the home site in question by the rate atwhich the apparatus 50 currently expects to transmit data to the centralsite 24 (i.e., the value stored in the current available bandwidthvariable B_(current) which may be the actual available bandwidth or areduced value (see FIG. 5C, block 178)). If the computed ratio of remotestorage capacity to transmission rate exceeds a predetermined thresholdT₂ (block 182), then there is insufficient remote storage to receive allof the data output by the sensors appearing on the valid data list.Accordingly, the storage monitor 64 calls the DROP SENSOR routine (block177) to remove the sensor having the lowest preference value from thevalid sensor list as explained above. Control then returns to block 142(FIG. 5A) where the output measuring unit 58 re-computes the outputmeasurement value A based on the reduced valid sensor list. Controlcontinues to loop through blocks 142-182 until the number of sensorsappearing on the valid sensor list is reduced to a level that the localprocessor and the local storage unit can handle, and/or until no sensorsare listed in the valid sensor list.

Assuming the remote processor is capable of receiving the datatransmitted from the home site (block 182), control advances to block184. At block 184, the storage monitor 64 determines if the amount ofdata A gathered by the sensors on the valid sensor list will exhaust thecapacity of the remote storage device in too short of a time. Inparticular, the storage monitor 64 queries the remote processor for avalue indicative of the amount of remote storage capacity currentlyallocated to the home site in question. When the central office 24responds with this data, the storage monitor 64 multiplies the combinedoutput A of the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list by a constanttime factor (e.g., two hours) and determines if the result of thatcalculation is greater than the remote storage capacity (block 184). Ifso, then the remote storage capacity will be exhausted too quickly atthe current data collection rate A, so the storage monitor calls theDROP SENSOR routine (block 177) to remove the sensor having the lowestpreference value from the valid sensor list as explained above. Controlthen returns from the DROP SENSOR routine to block 142 of FIG. 5A wherethe output measuring unit 58 re-computes the output measurement value Abased on the reduced valid sensor list. Control continues to loopthrough blocks 142-184 until the number of sensors appearing on thevalid sensor list is reduced to a level that the local processor, thelocal storage unit, the remote processor, and the remote storage unitcan handle, and/or until no sensors are listed in the valid sensor list.

Assuming that the remote processor has sufficient storage capacity tohandle the current data collection rate (block 184), control advances toblock 186 (FIG. 5D). At block 186, the home site processes the datacollected by the sensors appearing on the valid sensor list inaccordance with conventional data collection and processing routinesubject to any reduced transmission rate (see block 178). The home unitwill continue to collect and process data using the sensors appearing inthe valid sensor list until the bandwidth sensor 62 determines that thecurrently available bandwidth has changed (i.e., increased or decreased)by an amount greater than a threshold T₃ (block 188), or until apredetermined length of time has expired (block 190). When a sufficientchange in available bandwidth is detected (block 188) and/or expirationof the predetermined time has occurred (block 190), control returns toblock 130 to re-run the entire process to determine an appropriate setof the sensors 12-20 to gather data given the current variable systemfactors.

A flowchart representative of another example set of machine readableinstructions for implementing the sensor selector 52 of FIG. 3 is shownin FIGS. 10A-10C. In this example, the machine readable instructionscomprise a program for execution by a processor such as the processor1012 shown in the example computer 1000 discussed below in connectionwith FIG. 13. The program may be embodied in software stored on atangible medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digitalversatile disk (DVD), or a memory associated with the processor 1012,but persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate thatthe entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executedby a device other than the processor 1012 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware in a well known manner. For example, any or all ofthe weighting selector 54, the sensor tester 56, the output measuringunit 58, the processing speed tester 60, the bandwidth sensor 62 and/orthe storage monitor 64 could be implemented by software, hardware,and/or firmware. Further, although the example program is described withreference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C and 8, personsof ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many othermethods of implementing the example sensor selector 52 may alternativelybe used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may bechanged, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated,or combined.

The example of FIGS. 10A-10C represents a store and forward approach toimplementing the apparatus of FIG. 3 wherein data is collected in afirst time period, data is transmitted in a second time period, and datais processed in a third time period. As shown in FIG. 9, a predeterminedmaximum period of time Tc (e.g., between 1:00 PM and 3:00 AM) isselected for the home unit to collect data. Data may or may not becollected during this entire time period, depending on usage of theviewing device. In the example of FIG. 9, a maximum length of time T_(T)is selected for transmitting the collected data to the central office24. This maximum length of time T_(T) may be chosen, for example, as atime period occurring after the conclusion of the collecting time periodTc, such that the data collection period Tc and the transmission periodT_(T) do not overlap as shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, a maximum lengthof time T_(P) for processing the data at the central office 24 toproduce ratings data is selected. In the example of FIG. 9, this maximumtime period T_(P) is selected such that it does not overlap with eitherof the data collection period TC or the transmission period T_(T).

The example program of FIGS. 10A-10C begins like the example program ofFIGS. 5A-5D. In fact, in the illustrated example, blocks 100-148 ofFIGS. 10A-10B are identical to blocks 100-148 of FIGS. 5A-5B. In theinterest of brevity, the description of blocks 100-148 will not berepeated here. Instead, the interested reader is referred to the abovepassages discussing those blocks in the context of FIGS. 5A-5B.

After the aggregate output data rate (A, measured in Bytes/sec) producedby the valid, non-isolated, sensors has been calculated (block 148),control advances to block 200. At block 200, the output measuring unit58 calculates the aggregate maximum number of bytes (S_(COLLECTION))which may possibly be produced by the valid sensors during the datacollection period (T_(C)) by multiplying the aggregate output data rate(A) with the data collection period (T_(C) measured in seconds).

The storage monitor 64 then determines if the maximum number of bytes(S_(COLLECTION)) which may possibly be produced by the valid,non-isolated, sensors during the data collection period (T_(C)) isgreater than the capacity of the local storage device (S_(LOCAL))associated with the home unit (block 202). If S_(COLLECTION) is greaterthan S_(LOCAL), then the possible amount of data which may be collectedis too much for the local storage device to store. Accordingly, the DROPSENSOR routine is called (block 204) and executed as explained above inconnection with FIG. 8. Otherwise, the local storage device hassufficient storage capacity to handle the total possible amount of datathat may be collected (block 202), and control advances to block 206.

At block 206, the maximum number of bytes (S_(TRANSMIT)) that may betransmitted during the maximum possible uptime (T_(T)) of thecommunication channel 26 is calculated. In particular, the bandwidthsensor 62 calculates the maximum possible number of transmitted bytes(S_(TRANSMIT)) by multiplying the maximum possible bandwidth of thechannel (B_(CHANNEL)), with the maximum length of the transmissionperiod (T_(T)) (block 206). The bandwidth sensor 62 then compares themaximum number of bytes (S_(COLLECTION)) which may be collected duringthe collection period (T_(C)) to the maximum number of bytes(S_(TRANSMIT)) that may be transmitted during the transmission period(T_(T)) (block 208). If the maximum number of bytes that may becollected (S_(COLLECTION)) is greater than the maximum number of bytesthat may be transmitted (S_(TRANSMIT)) (block 208), then the DROP SENSORroutine is called (block 204) and executed as explained in connectionwith FIG. 8. Otherwise, control advances to block 210 (FIG. 10C).

At block 210, the storage monitor 64 compares the maximum number ofcollected bytes (S_(COLLECTION)) to the maximum storage availability(S_(REMOTE)) of the remote storage device. If the maximum number ofcollected bytes (S_(COLLECTION)) exceeds the maximum storage capacity(S_(REMOTE)) of the storage device at the central office 24 (block 210),then the DROP SENSOR routine is called (block 212) and executed asexplained in connection with FIG. 8. Otherwise, control advances toblock 214.

At block 214, the processing speed tester 60 calculates the maximumrequired processing byte rate (B) for the remote processor associatedwith the central office 24 to process the collected data(S_(COLLECTION)) within the allotted processing time (T_(P)). Inparticular, the processing speed tester 60 calculates the maximumrequired processing byte rate (B) by dividing the maximum number ofcollected bytes (S_(COLLECTION)) by the maximum length of the processingtime period (T_(P)) (block 214). The maximum required byte rate (B) isthen converted to a maximum required cycle rate (C) by dividing themaximum required byte rate (B) by a constant (K) which is indicative ofthe maximum operating speed of the remote processor measured in cyclesper second (block 216).

Once the maximum required cycle rate (C) is calculated (block 216), itis compared to the maximum processing speed (P_(REMOTE)) of the remoteprocessor (block 218). If the maximum required cycle rate (C) is greaterthan the maximum processing speed (P_(REMOTE)) (block 218), then theDROP SENSOR routine is called (block 212) and executed as explained inconnection with FIG. 8. Otherwise, control advances to block 220.

Control remains at block 220, until a time-out occurs. When the time-outoccurs, control returns to block 130 of FIG. 10A to re-start theprocess.

A flowchart representative of another example set of machine readableinstructions for implementing the sensor selector 52 of FIG. 3 is shownin FIGS. 12A-12C. In this example, the machine readable instructionscomprise a program for execution by a processor such as the processor1012 shown in the example computer 1000 discussed below in connectionwith FIG. 13. The program may be embodied in software stored on atangible medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digitalversatile disk (DVD), or a memory associated with the processor 1012,but persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate thatthe entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executedby a device other than the processor 1012 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware in a well known manner. For example, any or all ofthe weighting selector 54, the sensor tester 56, the output measuringunit 58, the processing speed tester 60, the bandwidth sensor 62 and/orthe storage monitor 64 could be implemented by software, hardware,and/or firmware. Further, although the example program is described withreference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12C and 8, personsof ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many othermethods of implementing the example sensor selector 52 may alternativelybe used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may bechanged, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated,or combined.

The example of FIGS. 12A-12C represents a real time or near real timeapproach to implementing the apparatus of FIG. 3 wherein data iscollected in a first time period, data is transmitted in a second timeperiod which at least partially overlaps the first period, and data isprocessed in a third time period which at least partially overlaps thesecond time period. In this way, ratings data can be developed in realtime or near real time. As shown in FIG. 11, a predetermined maximumperiod of time Tc (e.g., between 1:00 PM and 3:00 AM) is selected forthe home unit to collect data. Data may or may not be collected duringthis entire time period, depending on usage of the viewing device. Inthe example of FIG. 11, a maximum length of time T_(T) is selected fortransmitting the collected data to the central office 24. This maximumlength of time T_(T) may be chosen, for example, as a time periodoccurring at least partially during the collecting time period Tc, suchthat the data collection period Tc and the transmission period T_(T) atleast partially overlap as shown in FIG. 11. Additionally, a maximumlength of time T_(P) for processing the data at the central office 24 toproduce ratings data is selected. In the example of FIG. 11, thismaximum time period T_(P) is selected such that it at least partiallyoverlaps with the transmission period T_(T)

The example program of FIGS. 12A-12C begins like the example program ofFIGS. 5A-5D. In fact, in the illustrated example, blocks 100-148 ofFIGS. 12A-12B are identical to blocks 100-148 of FIGS. 5A-5B. In theinterest of brevity, the description of blocks 100-148 will not berepeated here. Instead, the interested reader is referred to the abovepassages discussing those blocks in the context of FIGS. 5A-5B.

After the aggregate output data rate (A, measured in Bytes/sec) producedby the valid, non-isolated, sensors has been calculated (block 148),control advances to block 300. At block 300, the bandwidth sensor 62calculates any mismatch (D_(CT)) between the maximium availablebandwidth (B_(CHANNEL)) of the channel 26 and the amount of data (A)currently being collected by the valid, non-isolated sensors. Inparticular, the bandwidth sensor 62 calculates any difference (D_(CT))by substracting the aggregate output data rate (A) from the maximiumavailable bandwidth (B_(CHANNEL)) (block 300).

If the difference (D_(CT)) between the aggregate output data rate (A)and the maximum available bandwidth (B_(CHANNEL)) is less than zero(block 302), then the data collection rate is faster than the maximumtransmission capacity. Accordingly, it will be necessary to buffer someof the collected data and/or drop one or more valid sensors. Therefore,control advances to block 306 where the storage monitor 64 calculatesthe amount of local storage capacity required to buffer the necessaryamount of collected data. In particular, the storage monitor 64calculates the maximum amount of data that will need to be bufferedlocally (S_(COLLECTION)) by multiplying the difference (D_(CT)) betweenthe aggregate output data rate (A) and the maximum available bandwidth(B_(CHANNEL)) with the maximum length of the collection period (T_(C))(block 306). It then compares the the maximum amount of data that willneed to be buffered locally (S_(COLLECTION)) to the capacity of thelocal storage device (S_(LOCAL)) (block 308). If the required amount ofstorage (S_(COLLECTION)) exceeds the local storage capcity (S_(LOCAL))(block 308), control advances to block 310 where the DROP SENSOR routineis called and executed as explained in connection with FIG. 8.Otherwise, control advances to block 312 (FIG. 12C).

Returning to block 302, if the difference (D_(CT)) between the aggregateoutput data rate (A) and the maximum available bandwidth (B_(CHANNEL))is less than zero, then the data collection rate is slower than themaximum transmission capacity. Accordingly, control advances to block304 where a variable (B_(CURRENT)) indicative of the current bandwidthof the communication channel 26 is set to equal the current output (A)of the valid, non-isolated sensors. Control then advances to block 312of FIG. 12C.

Irrrespective of whether control arrives at block 312 from block 304 orblock 308, at block 312 the processing speed tester 60 calculates theprocessing speed (B_(REMOTE)) of the remote processor in bytes persecond. In particular, the processing speed tester 60 multiplies thespeed of the remote processor (P_(REMOTE)) measured in cycles per secondwith the processor constant (K) to develop a measure of the remoteprocessor's speed in bytes per second (block 312). Control then advancesto block 314.

If the variable B_(CURRENT) is set to equal the current collection rate(A) (block 314), the available bandwidth fo the communication channel 26exceeds the quantity of data (A) being collected by the non-isolated,valid sensors and control advances to block 316. Otherwise, controladvances to block 318.

At block 316, the processing speed tester 60 calculates the difference(D_(RC)) between the processing speed (B_(REMOTE)) of the remoteprocessor and the current collection rate (A) of the non-isolated, validsensors to determine if the remote processor will be able to handle themaximum amount of data to be transmitted through the channel 26. Controlthen advances to block 320.

At block 318, on the other hand, the processing speed tester 60calculates the difference (D_(RC)) between the processing speed(B_(REMOTE)) of the remote processor and the maximum available bandwidth(B_(CHANNEL)) of the communication channel to determine if the remoteprocessor will be able to handle the maximum amount of data to betransmitted through the channel 26. Control then advances to block 320.

Irrrespective of whether control arrives at block 320 from block 316 orblock 318, at block 320 the processing speed tester 60 determines if thedifference (D_(RC)) calculated at one of blocks 316 and 318 is less thanzero. If the calculated difference (D_(RC)) is less than zero (block320), then the maximum data transmission rate is faster than the maximumprocessing speed of the remote processor. Accordingly, it will benecessary to buffer the unprocessed portion of the transmitted dataand/or drop one or more valid sensors. Therefore, control advances toblock 322 where the storage monitor 64 calculates the amount of remotestorage capacity required to buffer the necessary amount of transmitteddata. In particular, the storage monitor 64 calculates the maximumamount of data that will require buffering at the remote site(S_(TRANSMIT)) by multiplying the difference (D_(RC)) calculated at oneof blocks 316 and 318 with the maximum length of the transmission period(T_(T)) (block 322). It then compares the the maximum amount of datathat will requires buffering (S_(TRANSMIT)) to the capacity of theremote storage device (S_(REMOTE)) (block 324). If the maximum amount ofrequired storage (S_(TRANSMIT)) exceeds the remote storage capcity(S_(REMOTE)) (block 324), control advances to block 326 where the DROPSENSOR routine is called and executed as explained in connection withFIG. 8. Otherwise, control advances to block 328.

Returning to block 320, if the difference (D_(RC)) calculated at one ofblocks 316 and 318 is greater than zero, then the maximum datatransmission rate is slower than the maximum processing speed of theremote processor. Accordingly, significant remote storage capacity isnot required and control advances to block 328.

Control remains at block 328, until a time-out occurs. When the time-outoccurs, control returns to block 130 of FIG. 12A to re-start theprocess.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an example computer 1000 capable ofimplementing the apparatus 50 and methods disclosed herein. The computer1000 can be, for example, a dedicated audience measurement device, aserver, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), anInternet appliance, a DVD player, a CD player, a digital video recorder,a personal video recorder, a set top box, or any other type of computingdevice.

The system 1000 of the instant example includes a processor 1012. Forexample, the processor 1012 can be implemented by one or more Intel®microprocessors from the Pentium® family, the Itanium® family or theXScale® family. Of course, other processors from other families are alsoappropriate.

The processor 1012 is in communication with a main memory including avolatile memory 1014 and a non-volatile memory 1016 via a bus 1018. Thevolatile memory 1014 may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic RandomAccess Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUSDynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of randomaccess memory device. The non-volatile memory 1016 may be implemented byflash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access tothe main memory 1014, 1016 is typically controlled by a memorycontroller (not shown) in a conventional manner.

The computer 1000 also includes a conventional interface circuit 1020.The interface circuit 1020 may be implemented by any type of well knowninterface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serialbus (USB), and/or a third generation input/output (3GIO) interface.

One or more input devices 1022 are connected to the interface circuit1020. The input device(s) 1022 permit a user to enter data and commandsinto the processor 1012. The input device(s) can be implemented by, forexample, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball,isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 1024 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 1020. The output devices 1024 can be implemented, for example,by display devices (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tubedisplay (CRT), a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit 1020,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card.

The interface circuit 1020 also includes a communication device (e.g.,communication device 56) such as a modem or network interface card tofacilitate exchange of data with external computers via a network 1026(e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The computer 1000 also includes one or more mass storage devices 1028for storing software and data. Examples of such mass storage devices1028 include floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drivesand digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. The mass storage device 1028may implement the local storage device 62.

From the foregoing, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the above disclosed methods and apparatus adapt to present systemconditions to gather the amount of audience measurement data that canpresently be processed. In particular, data is collected from one ormore sensors and/or discarded in response to changes in one or morevariable system factors. When conditions permit, data is collected froma larger number of the sensors. In less favorable conditions, data iscollected from fewer sensors.

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. Onthe contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles ofmanufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claimseither literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

1. A method of gathering audience measurement data comprising:monitoring a variable system factor; selecting at least one sensor froma plurality of sensors based on the variable system factor, theplurality of sensors being located to develop audience measurement data,and; storing the audience measurement data developed by the at least oneselected sensor.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprisingignoring any audience measurement data not developed by the at least oneselected sensor.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprisingdiscarding data developed from a sensor in the plurality of sensors thatis not one of the at least one selected sensors.
 4. A method as definedin claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of:(a) an audio code sensor, (b) a video code sensor, (c) an audiosignature sensor, (d) a video signature sensor, (e) a software metersensor, (f) a digital bitstream sensor; (g) an on-screen display sensor;(h) an AMOL decoder; (i) an audio watermarking sensor; and (j) a videowatermarking sensor.
 5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein thevariable system factor comprises at least one of: (a) a presence of anaudio code, (b) a presence of a video code, (c) available bandwidth of acommunication link between a home site and a remote site, (d) availablestorage capacity at the local site, (e) available storage capacity atthe remote site, (f) processing speed associated with a processor at thelocal site, (g) processing speed associated with a processor at theremote site, (h) audible noise at the local site, and (i) a condition ofa set top box.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprisingtransmitting the audience measurement data developed by the at least oneselected sensor from a local site to a remote site.
 7. A method asdefined in claim 1 wherein storing the audience measurement datadeveloped by the at least one selected sensor comprises storing the datadeveloped by the at least one selected sensor in a local storage device.8. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein storing the audiencemeasurement data developed by the at least one selected sensorcomprises: transmitting the data developed by the at least one selectedsensor; and storing the data developed by the at least one selectedsensor in a remote storage device.
 9. A method as defined in claim 1further comprising selecting a preference ranking for the sensors in theplurality.
 10. A method a defined in claim 9 wherein selecting apreference ranking for the sensors in the plurality comprises selectingthe preference ranking based on a fixed system factor.
 11. A method adefined in claim 10 wherein the fixed system factor comprises at leastone of: (a) a presence of two or more affiliates of a broadcastingcompany in a market, (b) a local preference for a sensor type, (c) apresence of a set top box having an interactive program guide; (d) atype of communication link; (e) a cost of using a sensor type; (f) acomplexity of using a sensor type; (g) a presence of a viewing timeshifting device; and (h) a presence of a viewing place shifting device.12. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising selecting a ruledefining a preference ranking for the sensors in the plurality from aset of rules defining a set of preference rankings for the sensors inthe plurality.
 13. A method a defined in claim 12 wherein selecting arule defining a preference ranking for the sensors in the plurality froma set of rules comprises selecting the rule based on a fixed systemfactor.
 14. A method a defined in claim 13 wherein the fixed systemfactor comprises at least one of: (a) a presence of two or moreaffiliates of a broadcasting company in a market, (b) a local preferencefor a sensor type, (c) a presence of a set top box having an interactiveprogram guide; (d) a type of communication link; (e) a cost of using asensor type; (f) a complexity of using a sensor type; (g) a presence ofa viewing time shifting device; and (h) a presence of a viewing placeshifting device.
 15. A tangible medium storing machine readableinstructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:monitor a variable system factor; select at least one sensor from aplurality of sensors based on the variable system factor, the pluralityof sensors being located to develop audience measurement data, and;store the audience measurement data developed by the at least oneselected sensor.
 16. A tangible medium as defined in claim 15 whereinthe machine readable instructions further cause the machine to ignoreany audience measurement data not developed by the at least one selectedsensor.
 17. A tangible medium as defined in claim 15 wherein the machinereadable instructions further cause the machine to discard datadeveloped from a sensor in the plurality of sensors that is not one ofthe at least one selected sensors.
 18. A tangible medium as defined inclaim 15 wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of: (a)an audio code sensor, (b) a video code sensor, (c) an audio signaturesensor, (d) a video signature sensor, (e) a software meter sensor, (f) adigital bitstream sensor; (g) an on-screen display sensor; (h) an AMOLdecoder; (i) an audio watermarking sensor; and (j) a video watermarkingsensor.
 19. A tangible medium as defined in claim 15 wherein thevariable system factor comprises at least one of: (a) a presence of anaudio code, (b) a presence of a video code, (c) available bandwidth of acommunication link between a home site and a remote site, (d) availablestorage capacity at the local site, (e) available storage capacity atthe remote site, (f) processing speed associated with a processor at thelocal site, (g) processing speed associated with a processor at theremote site, (h) audible noise at the local site, and (i) a condition ofa set top box.
 20. A tangible medium as defined in claim 15 wherein themachine readable instructions further cause the machine to transmit theaudience measurement data developed by the at least one selected sensorfrom a local site to a remote site.
 21. A tangible medium as defined inclaim 15 wherein the machine readable instructions further cause themachine to store the audience measurement data developed by the at leastone selected sensor in a local storage device.
 22. A tangible medium asdefined in claim 15 wherein the machine readable instructions furthercause the machine to: transmit the data developed by the at least oneselected sensor; and store the data developed by the at least oneselected sensor in a remote storage device.
 23. A tangible medium asdefined in claim 15 wherein the machine readable instructions furthercause the machine to select a preference ranking for the sensors in theplurality.
 24. A tangible medium a defined in claim 23 wherein themachine readable instructions cause the machine to select the preferenceranking based on a fixed system factor.
 25. A tangible medium a definedin claim 24 wherein the fixed system factor comprises at least one of:(a) a presence of two or more affiliates of a broadcasting company in amarket, (b) a local preference for a sensor type, (c) a presence of aset top box having an interactive program guide; (d) a type ofcommunication link; (e) a cost of using a sensor type; (f) a complexityof using a sensor type; (g) a presence of a viewing time shiftingdevice; and (h) a presence of a viewing place shifting device.
 26. Atangible medium as defined in claim 15 wherein the machine readableinstructions further cause the machine to select a rule defining apreference ranking for the sensors in the plurality from a set of rulesdefining a set of preference rankings for the sensors in the plurality.27. A tangible medium a defined in claim 26 wherein the machine readableinstructions cause the machine to select the rule based on a fixedsystem factor.
 28. A tangible medium a defined in claim 27 wherein thefixed system factor comprises at least one of: (a) a presence of two ormore affiliates of a broadcasting company in a market, (b) a localpreference for a sensor type, (c) a presence of a set top box having aninteractive program guide; (d) a type of communication link; (e) a costof using a sensor type; (f) a complexity of using a sensor type; (g) apresence of a viewing time shifting device; and (h) a presence of aviewing place shifting device.
 29. An apparatus to gather audiencemeasurement data comprising: a plurality of sensors located to gatheraudience measurement data; a switch coupled to the sensors toselectively connect the sensors to an output; and a sensor selector toselect which of the sensors the switch connects to the output based onat least one variable system factor.
 30. An apparatus as defined inclaim 29 wherein the switch has a first state in which a first set ofthe sensors in the plurality are connected to the output and a secondstate in which a second set of the sensors in the plurality areconnected to the output.
 31. An apparatus as defined in claim 30 whereinthe first set has at least one member.
 32. An apparatus as defined inclaim 31 wherein the second set includes at least one member differentthan the first set.
 33. An apparatus as defined in claim 31 wherein thesecond set includes no members.
 34. A method as defined in claim 29wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of: (a) an audiocode sensor, (b) a video code sensor, (c) an audio signature sensor, (d)a video signature sensor, (e) a software meter sensor, (f) a digitalbitstream sensor; (g) an on-screen display sensor; (h) an AMOL decoder;(i) an audio watermarking sensor; and (j) a video watermarking sensor.35. A method as defined in claim 29 wherein the variable system factorcomprises at least one of: (a) a presence of an audio code, (b) apresence of a video code, (c) available bandwidth of a communicationlink between a home site and a remote site, (d) available storagecapacity at the local site, (e) available storage capacity at the remotesite, (f) processing speed associated with a processor at the localsite, (g) processing speed associated with a processor at the remotesite, (h) audible noise at the local site, and (i) a condition of a settop box.
 36. An apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein the sensorselector comprises a sensor tester to identify any of the sensors in theplurality of sensors which outputs valid data as valid sensors.
 37. Anapparatus as defined in claim 29 further comprising an output measuringunit to measure data output by the sensors coupled to the output.
 38. Anapparatus as defined in claim 37 further comprising a processing speedtester to determine if a processor operates at sufficient speed toprocess the data output by the sensors.
 39. An apparatus as defined inclaim 38 wherein the processor is a local processor with respect to thesensors.
 40. An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein the processoris a remote processor with respect to the sensors.
 41. An apparatus asdefined in claim 38 wherein the switch is responsive to the processingspeed tester to isolate the output of at least one of the sensors fromthe output if the processor is not presently capable of operating atsufficient speed to process the data output by the sensors.
 42. Anapparatus as defined in claim 37 further comprising a storage monitor todetermine if a storage device has sufficient capacity to store at leasta subset of the data output by the sensors.
 43. An apparatus as definedin claim 42 further comprising a bandwidth sensor to determine abandwidth associated with a communication link.
 44. An apparatus asdefined in claim 43 wherein the storage monitor uses the bandwidthdetermined by the bandwidth sensor to determine a rate of growthassociated with the subset.
 45. An apparatus as defined in claim 43wherein the storage device is a local storage device relative to thecommunication link.
 46. An apparatus as defined in claim 43 wherein thestorage device is a remote storage device relative to the communicationlink.
 47. An apparatus as defined in claim 42 wherein the switch isresponsive to the storage monitor to disconnect at least one of thesensors if the storage monitor does not have sufficient capacity tostore at least a subset of the data output by the sensors.
 48. Anapparatus as defined in claim 29 further comprising a weighting selectorto determine a ranking of the sensors.
 49. An apparatus as defined inclaim 48 wherein the weighting selector determines the ranking of thesensors based upon at least one fixed system factor.
 50. An apparatus asdefined in claim 49 wherein the fixed system factor comprises at leastone of: (a) a presence of two or more affiliates of a broadcastingcompany in a market, (b) a local preference for a sensor type, (c) apresence of a set top box having an interactive program guide; (d) atype of communication link; (e) a cost of using a sensor type; (f) acomplexity of using a sensor type; (g) a presence of a viewing timeshifting device; and (h) a presence of a viewing place shifting device.51. A method of gathering audience measurement data comprising: rankinga plurality of sensors based on at least one fixed system factor; andselecting a set of the sensors in the plurality of sensors from which tocollect audience measurement data based on at least one variable systemfactor.
 52. A method as defined in claim 51 wherein ranking theplurality of sensors comprises establishing a relative preference orderfor the sensors in the plurality.
 53. A method as defined in claim 52wherein selecting the set of the sensors in the plurality is performedin accordance with the relative preference order.
 54. A method asdefined in claim 51 wherein selecting a set of the sensors is repeatedperiodically.
 55. A method as defined in claim 51 wherein selecting aset of the sensors is repeated if at least one of the variable systemfactors changes by a predetermined amount.